Meet USC Marshall’s MBA Class of 2019

Marilyn Vaughn

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Accidentally funny, intentionally kind individual with a zest for life who loves entertainment.

Hometown: Madison, Alabama

Fun Fact About Yourself: When I was 17, I survived a serious car accident which injured the parts of my brain that control emotions, personality, and short-term memory. Overnight I went from an introvert to an extrovert!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Alabama, Telecommunications and Film with a concentration in Broadcast News; minor in General Business

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: News Producer with Local 15 News in Mobile, AL (2013-2015); Multi-Media Newscast Producer with WHAS 11 News in Louisville, KY (2015-2017).

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Managing and leading newscasts with national and global news value including burial services for Louisville-native Muhammad Ali, University of Louisville men’s basketball escort scandal, and Kim Davis’ same-sex marriage license refusal.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? During the application process, stay organized. Once I decided to apply to business school, I laid out a plan that had each day mapped out in detail from which subject I would study that day for the GRE to which alum I would reach out to for insight I could add to my essay. Don’t procrastinate. Make sure to have a second set of eyes read all your essays before you submit. When you’re crafting your application, know yourself and know your story.  I believe I had a well-rounded application with a story that clearly articulated how Marshall was essential to me achieving my post-MBA dreams.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The strength and warmth of the Trojan network. From my initial call with the student ambassadors through my acceptance, everyone was friendly, and connected me with other individuals who helped me work towards my goal. Once at Marshall, the warmth and support of the Trojan network remained genuine; from the attentive professors to my helpful classmates.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?My ultimate dream is to manage my own production company. Success after my first year of business school would be landing an exciting and challenging marketing or strategy internship at a film studio in addition to an unforgettable trip to the Pacific Rim with my classmates.